Implications of Dietary Vegetables on Glycemic Control- A Mechanistic Review

Abstract

The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing day by day. Despite using synthetic anti-diabetic agents, diabetic patients must modify their lifestyle, including routine diet. Vegetables are the adequate source of vitamins, dietary fibres, minerals and Phytoconstituents. Use of vegetables is growing among the people as a part of the diet. They, with their antioxidant properties, can maintain good health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Besides, they contain many dietary fibres that are anti-diabetic. The constituents present in these vegetables help to reduce blood glucose level through several mechanisms such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibition, enhancing the expression of peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma (PPAR) γ and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). Therefore the people must consume such vegetables with the proper knowledge to control diabetes mellitus and its complications. Hence the present review focuses on summarizing in vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic activity of most common dietary vegetables.